Control system

Abstract

A control system includes: an actuator piston having an end cap, the actuator piston being reversibly translatable; a supporting member coupled to the end cap, the supporting member being configured to couple the end cap to a sensor; and a retaining device configured to maintain the coupling between the end cap and the supporting member when the end cap fails.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control system comprising:
 an actuator piston having an end cap, the actuator piston being reversibly translatable;   a supporting member coupled to the end cap, the supporting member being configured to couple the end cap to a sensor;   a retaining device configured to maintain the coupling between the end cap and the supporting member when the end cap fails;   a fastener configured to couple the supporting member to the end cap,   wherein the retaining device comprises an upturned edge in which the fastener is confined.   
     
     
         2 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device is configured to clamp the end cap together when the end cap fails. 
     
     
         3 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device is located within the end cap. 
     
     
         4 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device comprises a first part and a second part arranged longitudinally along an axis of the actuator piston. 
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the first part is fixedly coupled to the second part. 
     
     
         6 . The control system of  claim 4 , wherein the first part comprises a protruding portion and the second part comprises a recess configured to fix the first and second parts together. 
     
     
         7 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining device is configured to maintain the coupling between the supporting member and the end cap when the fastener fails. 
     
     
         8 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a linear variable differential transformer. 
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is located adjacent to the actuator piston. 
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more components are housed within the actuator piston, and wherein the end cap closes the actuator piston. 
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator piston is a linear piston. 
     
     
         12 . An aircraft comprising:
 a control system as recited in  claim 1 .